Cinematograph apparatus



April 1938. G. B. SCHEIBELL 2,113,182

CINEMATOGRAPH APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l ll /02 T2 9) s3 )I)IIIlI/ IIIIIIIIIIIIIII/mllll i I u g 1 42 [A VENI'OR.

[inrflnn Brawn Bahraihell ATTORNEY.

April 5, 1938. G. B. SCHEIBELL CINEMATOGRAPH APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /IIIIIIIII r A v. 1 u

IIIIIIIII I lIllII/IIIII IIIIIIIIII r111 IIIIII 11111114 'IIIIIIIJ Hil y/M R O m E V m Gordon Brown Schaihell ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 5, 1938 UNITED STATES CINEMATOGRAPH APPARATUS Gordon Brown Scheibeli, Millburn, N. J.

Application April 18, 1935, Serial No. 16,955 In Canada November 20, 1931 7 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to film apparatus and more particularly to a construction of apparatus for feeding and exposing a film. With respect to certain features of the invention disclosed, particularly those features dealing with the automatic control of the movement of a film as set forth in the claims hereof, reference is made to the fact that the subject of the claims hereof is disclosed in application. Serial Number 443,398, filed April 11, 1930, now Patent Number 2,005,596, issued June 18, 1935. As to subject matter disclosed but not claimed herein, reference is made to my co-pending applications, Serial Number 77,233, filed April 30, 1936, disclosing a magazine ejector; Serial Number 172,782, filed November 4, 1937, disclosing a gun camera construction; and Serial Number 172,783, filed November 4, 1937, disclosing a film magazine construction.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of film apparatus for effecting controlling operations in accordance with the predetermined movement of the film.

A further object of the invention consists in providing a construction of film mechanism having an automatic mechanism driven in synchronism with the film driving mechanism for timing film control operations.

Another object of the invention comprises providing a form of film apparatus having a film carrier and an arrangement for moving the film carrier with reference to an operative position in an exposure process.

A further object comprises providing a gun camera structure having trigger means for effecting various control actions in an exposure of film.

A still further object comprises providing a structure of film having a single row of perforations and a special arrangement of perforation engaging means operative upon opposite sides of an optical system for moving said film in an exposure process.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts and in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the cinematograph apparatus of my invention taken along the line Il of Fig. 4;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 with the lower front wall of the casing of the apparatus removed;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the representation of Fig. 1, with a compartment closure member thereof in open position;

Fig. 4-is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the apparatus taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view of the cinematograph unit according to the invention in an operative position as used; and

Fig. 7 is a view of a portion of the apparatus showing the operation of a mechanism for extracting a film magazine.

This invention contemplates the provision of a compact form of camera especially adapted for personal use, and formed in the shape of'a gun for purposes of easy manipulation. According to the invention, the camera is magazine loaded and includes a pistol grip wherein is located the essential driving mechanism of the camera. A pair of trigger elements are disposed in positions in the pistol grip accessible to the fingers of the operator. A feature of the invention resides in a special film moving mechanism of compact construction for permitting the accommodation of the apparatus in a small enclosure comparable to gun size. Another feature resides in the provision of automatic control means for stopping the mechanism after predetermined exposure of the film. In accordance with the invention a special arrangement is provided for permitting facile removal and substitution of the film cartridges or magazines as required.

Referring to the drawings in detail there is provided a substantially fiat box-like container I, the lower portion of which has an outer contour in the form of a pistol grip to fit the hand. The front wall 2 of the housing I has convolutions to fit the fingers while the rear wall 3 is provided with a reduced portion 4 to accommodate the thumb so that the hand of the user can easily grasp the casing. The precise formation of the casing can be better seen from Fig. 6, wherein the casing is shown in an operative position in the hand of the user. In the upper portion of the casing I there is provided a wall member I which is in the form of a projectile-shaped compartment for receiving the film magazine. In the nose portion of this magazine receiving compartment there is provided an aperture plate 8 for defining the picture area upon the sensitized film of the magazine.

A film-containing magazine is provided and is of a projectile form to fit within the magazine-receiving compartment. This magazine comprises two portions including a container 9 and lid ll therefor, while within the container 9 are two rotatable reel elements I! and I3. The reel element I3 has its spindle extending through the side wall of the container 9 and is provided with a rotatable element I4, as may be seen in Fig. 3, to engage with a rotatable take-up drive member mounted in the camera structure. It will of course be understood that the reel element I3 is provided with a suitable clutch arrangement, such as an intermediate spring drive, to permit of a proper takeup operation.

A film guide member I6 is mounted within the container 9 and has its outer surface formed to correspond with the inner contour of the container 9 to feed the film from reel element |2 to reel element I3 along the ogival area of the projectile-shaped nose of the magazine. An aperture opening I1 is provided in the container 9, as may be seen in Fig. 2, to receive the aperture plate 8. A resilient arrangement is provided as part of the guide members I to gently press the film I5 against the aperture plate system, when the magazine is in operative position within the magazine compartment. The sensitized film I5, initially stored upon the reel element I2 and fed to the take-up reel element I3, is provided with but a single row of perforations to permit of a' flatter and more compact construction of the camera and magazine.

The camera is accordingly provided with a special arrangement of perforation engaging means to impart the proper intermittent feed motion to the film in an exposure process. It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the magazinecontainer 9 is provided with apertures I3 and I9, respectively, in alignment upon opposite sides of the aperture ll. These apertures are provided in fiat portions of the container 9 which portions are disposed at substantially 90 with respect to each other, the

portion of the container 9 immediately surrounding the aperture I1 being fiat and disposed substantlally 45 with respect to either of the surfaces bearing the apertures I8 and I9. The aperture I8 engages with the row of perforations of the film l5 to permit access to the film by a pilot pin 2| while the aperture I9 permits access to the perforations by a pull-down claw 22.

The pilot pin 2| is mounted upon a reciprocative member 23 having a pivot bearing 24. The member 23, on the other side of the pivot bearing 24, is provided with a yoke -25 within which a pin 21 is movable, as may be seen in Figs. 1 and 5. The pin 2'! is mounted upon a yoke 28 which is slidably mounted, by suitable means, for movement in' two directions. The pull-down claw 22 is carried by the yoke 28. The pull-down claw 22 is provided with a suitable resilient arrangement for permitting a. rectilinear retraction with reference to the yoke'23. Such an arrangement is provided to permit facile insertion of the magazine and its film I5 and to insure the proper registration of the pull-down claw 22 with the perforations of the film I5 when the camera mechanism is set in motion. A shaft 29 carries a cam 30 which engages with the yoke 28 to impart reciprocative motion to the pin 22 in a direction at right angles to the surface of the film I5. This motion causes the pull-down claw 22 to be endown motion to the film I5 within the container 9.

This motion also effects the yoke 25 through pin 21 to oscillate the member 23 about the pivot 24 to cause the pilot pin 2| to engage with a perforation of the film I5 as the pull-down claw 22 is withdrawn from engagement with the film I5. The pilot pin 2| therefore holds the film I5 stationary for a picture exposure, while the pulldown claw 22 is moved into a position for a repeat pull-down operation. As the pull-down claw 22 engages the film, the pilot pin 2| is withdrawn to permit further linear movement'of the film I5. I As shown in the drawings, a cylindrical shutter 34 is mounted on the member 23 in axial alignment with the pivot bearing 24 for reciprocative movement therewith. In a front extruded portion of the casing I, a lens unit 35 is removably mounted by threaded engagement and forms an optical image through the aperture plate 9 upon the film I5. The cylindrical shutter 34 is provided with diametrically opposed openings, as may be ascertained from Fig. 5, for permitting the optical transmission of light to the film when the pilot pin 2| is in engagement with the film. Such an arrangement forms a simplified and composite structure for the interdependent operation of the perforation engaging means and shutter, although it will be recognized that a different arrangement may be employed where desired or necessary, in which the shutter is directly driven by the driving mechanism of the camera. For instance, the shutter can be geared with the shaft 29 to revolve in synchronism therewith.

The shaft 29 is provided with a gear 39 which meshes with an intermediate driving gear 39. The intermediate driving gear 39 is driven by a main driving gear 45, which is provided with a coil or spiral spring H and the usual pawl and ratchet mechanism 42 for eflfecting the spring drive of the camera mechanism. The spring 4| is connected between the gear 40 and the shaft 43. The shaft 43 extends through the wall of the casing I and is provided with a handle to permit rotary driving forces to be imparted to the camera mechanism.

The gear 39 also drives a gear 45 which in turn drives a gear 45. Gear 46 engages the gear teeth of take-up'drive'means 41 which has a fin for engaging the element I4 on the magazine to impart rotary motion to the take-up reel element I3.

The gear 39 also engages with a gear 50 which drives a shaft upon which a stop-disc 5| is mounted. At a point near the periphery of the upper surface of the disc 5| a stop-projection 52 is provided. This projection 52 normally engages with a pin 53 depending from the lower side of a triangular plate member 54. The engagement of the stop-projection 52 by the stop-pin 53 prevents rotation of the disc 5| and consequently prevents movement of the entire movable mechanism of the camera. The gear ratio between the gears 38, 39 and 50 is such that the gears 50 and 38 rotate in synchronism so that the stopping of the disc 5| by engagement of the pin 53 with stop-projection 52 will always bring the perforation engaging means as well as the shutter 24 into a predetermined position with respect to the film. That is, the shutterwill be in a position cutting off the light from a previously exposed portion of the film, while the pull-down claw 22 will be in a position ready for further movement of the film.

The plate member 54 is mounted upon a pivot bearing 56 which afi'ords movement of the plate member 54 to move the pin 53 out of the path of the stop-projection 52 thereby permitting rotary movement of the disc 5|. Another stop-projection 58 is provided on the disc 5| and is positioned 'slightly angularly removed from the stop-projecby the projection 58 during the angular movement of the disc 5|. However, should the plate member 54 be moved so that the pin 52 is brought out of engagement with either of the projections 52 or 58, the disc 5| will be permitted uninterrupted rotation. If desired, a suitable speed governor mechanism, not shown, of conventional type may be coupled with the driving mechanism. In accordance with the invention, a trigger member 60 is provided in the front central portion of the casing and extends through a slot thereof to be normally accessible in .the index finger depression of the pistol grip formation of the casing. This trigger member 60 is mounted for reciprocative movement within the casing l in a direction indicated by the arrow 5| and is provided with resilient means to cause the member 50 to normally assume a frontward position. In

the lower front portion of the casing another trigger member 63 is provided and extends through a slot in the casing within the depression of the casing formed to accommodate the little or fifth finger of the operator. The member 63 is also positioned for slidable or rectilinear movement in the direction indicated by the arrow 54 and is provided with resilient means to cause the member 63 to normally assume a frontward position.

The triangular plate 54 is provided with an upstanding pin 56 at one corner thereof, and at another corner thereof is provided with an upstanding pin 61. The depression of the trigger 50 by'the index finger of the user imparts a rectilinear motion to the member 60 whereby a wedgeshaped portion thereof engaging the pin 56 imparts movement to the plate member 54 to bring the pin 53 out of the path of engagement of either the stop-projection 52 or the projection 58 whereby the disc 5| is permitted uninterrupted rotation to afford movement to the operable parts of the camera to effect the continuous feeding and exposure of the film in the taking of moving pictures. When the trigger 50 is released by the finger of the user, the associated resilient means cause the trigger member 50 to assume a frontward position and the spring 49 causes the tri-- angular plate member 54 toreturn to a normal position whereby the pin 53 is engaged by the projection 52 and the moving mechanism of the camera brought to rest with the shutter 34 and perforation engaging means in a predetermined position.

When the user applies pressure to the trigger member 63, an angularly disposed edge thereof engages the pin 61 to move the plate member 54 in an upward direction so that the pin 53 is brought out of engagement with the stop-projection 52. The movement of the trigger member 63 is limited so that the pin 53 is only moved into alignment with the path of rotation of the projection 55. Therefore, when the pin 53 is thus moved, the disc 5| is permitted angular rotation equivalent to only one revolution. When the projection 55 engages with the pin 53 in its upper position, it is necessary to release the trigger member 5! in order to produce another or subsequent rotation of the disc 5| thereby. The trigger 63, in this action, effects the taking of a single frame of film. That is, the camera mechanism is moved through one cycle of its operation so that a single picture is taken upon the film i5. Such an arrangement'is useful for various purposes when the user wishes to take single pictures.

In operating the camera to take either continuous movies or single frame pictures, the user grasps the camera as shown in Fig. 6. He may utilize either one of two techniques for selectively taklng either type of picture. In one technique,

he may have the index finger continuously over the trigger member 50, while at the same time holding the little or fifth finger over the trigger member 63, thus by selective pressure on these different fingers he may take either type of picture without any shift of the hand. Such a technique is desirable when the, user desires to quickly shift from one type ofgpicture to another. For example, a news photographer can utilize this technique for taking either movies or single shots" of quickly moving and changing scenes and situations. On the other hand, another technique presents itself wherein the operator takes movies with his hand in a position such that the first or index finger is in'position over the trigger to and the other fingers are positioned above the exposed portion of the trigger member 63 and not in contact therewith. In other words, to take continuous moving pictures, the camera grip is grasped in a high" position. This position is especially shown in Fig. 6. To take single shots according to this latter technique, the operator then may shift his grasp of the camera from a high to a low position wherein the little or fifth finger engages the exposed portion of the trigger 53 while the first or index finger grasps a portion of the pistol-grip casing removed from the trigger member 50. Such a technique requires only a simple and slight movement of the hand to change from one condition to the other and is useful for purposes such as amateur home moving pictures where the operator does not demand immediate alternative use of either operations. However, it will be seen that the camera is easily and effectively adaptable to meet the demands of various operating conditions in accordance with the scope of apparatus of this type.

A further feature of the invention is that a mechanical arrangement is provided so that the operation of the camera mechanism will be interrupted after a predetermined movement of the film. In other words, the camera can be manually set for an exposure process which will be interrupted at a predetermined time. This mechanical arrangement includes a train of gears comprising a pinion l driven by the gear 40 and which drives a gear H. The gear 1| is mounted upon the hub of a rotatable member 12, mounted for rotation in an extruded depression in the cover portion of the casing I, as maybe seen in Fig. 4. This rotatable member 12 is provided with suitable indicia in the form of numbers for indicating the linear movement of the film IS. The driving gears are so proportioned that a predetermined movement of the gear 1| corresponds to a definite linear movement of the film i brought about by the perforation engaging means and the film take-up means. The member 12 is rotatably mounted upon a shaft 13 which is in turn rotatably mounted within the casing The shaft 13 is provided, at its outward extremity with a manually settable member 14 which serves as an index with reference to indicia on the member 12. A certain fit exists between the shaft 13 and the member 12 whereby the shaft 13 can be turned by the settable member 14 manually independently. However, driving motion imparted to the gear 12 will cause the rotation of the member 12 as well as shaft 18 to produce a film movement controlling operation.

To eifect this operation, a cam member 15 is mounted on the shaft 13 for tripping a trigger arrangement. This trigger arrangement consists of a cam rider in the form of a lever 16 having a pivot 11. The trigger arrangement includes a latching mechanism in the form of another lever 18 having a pivot mounting 18. The pivot 18 is part of a shaft which extends externally of the casing to a manually settable element 85 adjacent the movable index member 12. A spring 88 is coiled about the shaft 18 to urge the lever 18 in a direction towards the lever 16. The lever 18 is provided with apivoted dog 88 having one end resiliently urged into engagement with the inner curved surface of the lever 16 as shown. A notch is provided in the end of the dog 88 adapted to engage with a corresponding notch along the inner surface of the lever 16. The opposite end of the dog 88 is in the form of a cam which engages with an edge of the plate member 54. When the settable element 85 is turned in counter-clockwise direction, the cam portion of the lever 18 moves the plate member 54 into an upper position so that the pin 53 is moved out of engagement with either of the projections 52 or 58, thereby permitting the disc to rotate and effect the operation of the moving parts of the camera to continuously record moving pictures upon the film |5. This counter-clockwise rotation of themanualiy settable element 85 and its pivot member 18 results in a sliding movement of the dog 88 along the inner surface of the lever 16. Resilient means including springs 82 and 83 cause the notches on the dog 88 and lever 16 to engage, whereby the lever 18 is latched in a position such that the plate member 54 is in an upward position permitting the taking of contin uous moving pictures.

The cam member 15 will have been previously moved to a desired position to interrupt the operation of the camera in accordance with a predetermined movement of the film. After such predetermined movement of the film, the cam 15 will rotate its projecting portion into juxtaposition with the rider end of lever 16 whereby the lever 16 will be angularly moved about the pivot 11 to effect a trigger action release of the dog 88 so that the lever 18 and plate member 54 are resiliently returned to a normal position and the disc 5| brought to rest in its predetermined position. Upwardly extending pins 86 and 81 are provided on the lever 16 on the other side of the pivot 11 and in proximity to extending portions of the trigger members 63 and 68, respectively. Such an arrangement insures movement of the lever 16 to eifect a trigger release of the latch arrangement including the dog 88 whenever either of the trigger members 68 or 63 is actuated. It will be seen, therefore, that movement of either one or both of the trigger members 68 or 63 supersedes the control of the film moving mechanism as determined by the settable element 85 and cam 15. It will be also noted that trigger members 68 and 63 each operate on the controlling magazine independently of each other so that the movement of one does not cause the movement of the other.

The compartment formed by the member 1 is made light-tight by a door 88 having a hinge 8| forming a pivot mounting upon the casing I.

The door 88 is held in closed position by a pin 82 which engages with a hole in a spring 88 mounted in the top wall of the compartment formed by member 1. This spring 83 serves another purpose in applying a downward pressure to the magazine container 8 to force the film into a proper recording position. A manually movable element 84 is pivoted to the door 88 and has an inwardly extending portion operating through a hole in the door 88 to depress the projecting end of the spring 83 sufliciently to permit the door 88 to be opened by angular movement about the hinge 8|.

In accordance with my invention, a special mechanical arrangement is provided for permitting the convenient removal of the magazine from the compartment when the door is open, whereby the operator can quickly and easily grasp the magazine to permit of its instant withdrawal. In accordance with this arrangement, a fiat elongated spring member 85 is secured to the inner portion of the door by the rivet 86. One end of the spring 85 is curled to form a finger 81 which engages with the complementary resilient catch member 88 mounted on the container 8. The other end of the spring 85 is provided with a slot through which a pin 88 extends from the door 88. This slot permits the free movement of one end of the spring 85 when the door 88 is in closed position so that the spring 85 resiliently presses against the rear end of container 8 to force the magazine into a proper frontward operative position. When the magazine has been manually inscrted in the compartment 1, the door 88 may be swung about its hinge 8| to a closed position. In this closed position the end 81 of spring 85 will resilently snap into engagement with the catch member 88 on the container 8. when it is desired to remove the magazine, the door 88 may be released by the member 84 and anguiarly moved about the hinge 8| whereupon the finger 81, in engagement with the catch 88, will rectilinearly partially withdraw the magazine from the magazine compartment.

Referring to Fig. '7, when the door 88 has angularly moved to the position shown, the finger 81 will resiliently slip out of engagement with the catch 88 and permit the door 88 to be moved into its lowered extreme position. The magazine will then have been partially ejected from the compartment so that the operator or user can easily grasp the same and effect its complete withdrawal. Conversely, when it is desired to insert the magazine, it is not necessary for the operator to push the magazine to its extreme forward position inasmuch as the mere closing of the door will effect the proper positioning of the magazine within the compartment.

In accordance with the invention the camera may be sighted in either of two ways. The camera may be directly pointed at the object without reference to the eye, in the same manner,

that a pistol is used in some instances, or a sighting telescope may be provided as shown in the drawings. Referring to Fig. 1, a telescope |88 having a suitable optical system is provided with a boss |8| which carries a pin I82. The pin I82 may be inserted in a suitable hole provided in the front end of the camera structure and a detent recess in the pin accommodates a spring I03, accessible from the inner side of the camera structure, to resiliently hold the pin I02 in a locked position. It will be seen therefore that the lens tube I may thus be positioned upon the upper surface of the camera. The lens tube is removable and it is constructed so that it may be carried in the vest pocket in the same manner as a fountain pen or pencil to permit the camera itself to be fitted into an extremely small space for carrying purposes, such as in the coat pocket or handbag.

The cinematograph apparatus of this invention provides a compact and small .camera which can be conveniently and quickly utilized for tak-' ing moving pictures or still pictures under varying conditions. Although I have described a preferred'embodiment of the apparatus, it will of course be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of my invention. I do not, therefore, desire to limit myself except as may be pointed out in the appended claims.

What I claim as new and'desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In film apparatus, the combination with rotary driving means, and film moving mechanism driven by said rotary driving means, of means for controlling the effective operation of said rotary driving means for driving said film moving mechanism including a manually settable element and automatic mechanism mechanically driven through reduction gear means by said rotary driving means and effectively operable in accordance with a predetermined amount of movement of said film moving mechanism for interrupting the effective operation of said rotary driving means and restoring said manually settable element to an initial position.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 in which said automatic mechanism includes a cam and spring moved means released thereby.

3. In film apparatus the combination with rotary driving means, and film moving mechanism driven by said rotary driving means, of means for controlling the effective operation of said rotary driving means for driving said film moving mechanism including a manually settable control element, the manual setting of which initiates the operation of said film moving mechanism, and mechanism comprising reduction gear means driven by said rotary' driving means and a device actuated by said reduction gear means for restoring said manually settable element to its initial position and interrupting the movement of said film moving mechanism after a predetermined amount of operation thereof.

4. In film apparatus the combination with rotary driving means and film moving mechanism .driven by said rotary driving means, of means for controlling the operation of said film moving mechanism including a, rotatable element, a stopping member adapted to be actuated by said rotatable element for arresting the movement of said mechanism, a train of reduction gears driven by said rotary driving means for imparting rotary motion to said rotatable element in synchronism with the operation of said film moving mechanism, resilient means for urging said stopping member to a predetermined position for effecting the arresting of the rotation of said rotatable driving means and interrupting the movement of said film moving mechanism, said rotatable element operating to interrupt the movement of said film moving mechanism after a predetermined amount of operation thereof, and a shutter for exposing said' film and driven by said rotary driving means in synchronism with the other elements driven thereby whereby the stopping of movement of said film feeding mechanism by said rotatable device brings said shutter to rest in a predetermined position with respect to said film.

5. Film apparatus comprising, a general mounting structure, a film, an optical system carried by said general mounting structure for directing light with reference to said film, perforation engaging means carried by said general mounting structure and comprising at least two diiferent perforation engaging elements disposed upon opposite sides of said optical system for engagement with the perforations of said film, an intermediate mounting structure, means carried by said intermediate mounting structure for moving said film in a take-up operation, a shutter for controlling said light directed through said optical system, driving means including resilient means and a train of reduction gears connected therewith for imparting motion to said shutter, a rotatable element driven by said driving means, said rotatable element and said intermediate mounting structure being movable with respect to each other for permitting the selective engagement of said takeup means with said driving mechanism for driving said take-up means.

6. The film apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said controlling means includes, a resiliently tensioned trigger for moving said element from a start to a stop position, a. latch for said trigger, and eccentric means driven by said driving means through said reduction gear means for unlatching said trigger to move said element for stopping said mechanism.

'7. The film apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said controlling means includes, a resiliently driven member adapted to operate said element to stop said mechanism, and retaining means for preventing operation of said member, said mechanism operated by said motor acting to relatively move said member and retaining means to release said member at a predetermined time.

GORDON BROWN SCHEIBELL. 

